A Righteous Rant:

[trof]

I quit driving last June. Macular degeneration. Just couldn't see well enough to drive and wasn't safe.
'Danger to myself and others.'


What the hell, I'm almost 80 and don't mind being chauffeured by my lovely wife.
She's an excellent driver, but she does make me sit in the front passenger seat with her instead of giving her direction and instruction from the back seat.


Last week it dawned on me that I should take myself off of our automobile policy to save some money. If I'm no longer insured I shouldn't be paying premiums to insure me, right?
No, as it turns out, wrong.

I have USAA insurance. I got it when I was a brad new USAF 2nd Lt. I've had USAA on cars, boats, and house for 58 years.

When I told them to take me off the policy, I asked how much money that would save.
Answer: "It will actually cost you three dollars a month MORE" because I will no longer get some discount that I had been getting as a former member of the military.
It's wrong, and it's crazy.

I've just cut their liability in half.
Only one person, with an excellent driving record , will be driving our now only car.
I'm pissed.

[Tomconroy]

1. I have USAA too.

Like in the commercial they used to run, mine was earned by my father in the South Pacific during WW 2. I know it must be frustrating, but take consolation in the fact that you are with the best auto insurance company in the country. They are always top rated. I know from experience, when someone hits you, they are a pleasure to deal with. They make everything easy.

[trof]

2. I know that. 58 years.

But now I'm being penalized for doing the right thing.
I could have kept my driver's license and they would have been none the wiser.

Instead, I turned it in and got a "Non driver " state photo ID with the star so I can board airplanes.

I should have kept my damned mouth shut.

[Tomconroy]

4. I'm sure you also know

they have the best rates out there. It must be frustrating, but over the years you have saved a lot of money with USAA.

[snowybirdie]

3. Safe travels

through life no matters who's driving! Or take uber. Who cares? Keep on having fun!

[GP6971]

5. That doesn't make sense.

Although a lot of things about insurance don't make sense to me.

I've had USAA for 47 years and I wouldn't go anywhere else. Plus I really like their yearly Subscriber and Senior Subscriber disbursements...just under $1,000 this time around.

[Tomconroy]

7. I know I am not helping here

But if it's just one car, you really haven't cut their liability in half. Only one person can drive the car at a time. If you are both good drivers and you still drive the same number of miles every year, their liability remains the same. Of course if you got rid of a second car, that would be a different story.
I guess I'm just writing to let people know, if they are eligible, USAA is that very rare thing, a great insurance company.

[TomSlick]

8. I'd recommend getting quotes from other insurance companies.

What you are looking for is being a named insured (along with your lovely wife) but an excluded driver.

USAA generally has good rates and it may be that you can't do better elsewhere - but you should check.

I decided years ago as a young JAG to not have USAA insurance. I like having a real live agent to advocate for me with the company. Dealing with a "service representative" over the telephone simply isn't the same thing.